[BREAKING] Reporting ‘breaking news’ banned in Turkey

Turkey’s Supreme Council of Radio and Television (RTÜK) restricted broadcasting of ‘breaking news’ in Turkish televisions during the state of emergency rule.

According to Birgün daily, officials from RTÜK told TV executives in a meeting on Wednesday that broadcasting of ‘breaking news’ especially with regards to ‘incidents threatening national security,’ such as terror attacks, will be limited.

Giving details on how a ‘breaking new’ to be broadcasted in Turkish news channels, RTÜK officials shared notes with TV executives outlining certain rules and practices to follow.

According to the note, Turkish TV stations will not be allowed to broadcast every footage or information immediately after a terror attack or incident that matters national security. TV channels will also not permitted to give details of perpetrators, victims, locations of the incident and also share views of the witnesses.

Broadcasting on attacks or emergency incidents in ‘brand named cities’, such as İstanbul, İzmir and Antalya, will have further restrictions.

RTÜK note only permits TV channels to broadcast information released by relevant officials and officials ‘assigned by the Prime Minister to report on the incident or to issue a broadcast ban.’

Turkish TV channels are also banned to use ‘breaking news’ caption on screens for hours. News reporters and anchors were also asked to stay away from making statements or comments that could be considered as ‘exaggeration or agitation.’